A 45-foot response boat from Coast Guard Station San Francisco was dispatched to the scene where crewmembers rescued the three boaters from the sinking vessel.

The vessel’s owner contracted Vessel Assist to salvage the sailboat this week. No injuries were reported and there is no pollution threat.

“Coast Guard Station San Francisco boat crew’s quick response enabled the safe rescue of three boaters with only inches of their boat still above water,” said Cmdr. Matt Thompson, Sector San Francisco’s Response Chief. “Water temperatures in the bay this time of year can be extremely dangerous and had the boaters entered the water, the result could have been dire.”

Most boating accidents occur quickly and unexpectedly. It is important for boaters wear life jackets, and have a working VHF radio, flares, or other reliable means of communication in the event of an emergency. The Coast Guard also urges boaters to always check the sunset time, weather and sea conditions before getting underway.